Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-07-20

nothing being left standing but the massive
outer walls Of stone, over which a dense
column of smoke hung like pail. Mooifon-
tein was blackened ruin; only the stables
and outhouses, which were rooted with gal
vanized iron, being left uninjured.
Frank Muller had not been gone five
minutes when, to Bessie's Joy, her uncle
opened his eyes and sat up.
aWhat is ita what is it3" he said. "Ah!
recollect. What is all this smell of fret
Surely they have not burned the places"
ayes, uncle" sobbed Bessie, "they have"
The old man groaned ut took me ten
years to build, bit by bit, almost stone by
stone, and now they have destroyed it. Well,
why not2 Gods will be done! Give me your
feel faint and sick"
She did as he bade her, sobbing bitterly.
Within fifteen yards, on the edge of the plan
tation, was little spruit or runnel of water,
and Of this he drank copiously and bathed his
wounded head and face. ~ - ;s.a,,.. = =,
'There, love-" he said, adon't fret; feel
quite myself again. fear made fool OF
myself haven't learned to bear misfortune
and dishonor as should yet, and, like Job,
felt as though God had forsaken us. But, as
said, his will be DONE What is the next
move, I wondera All! we shall soon know,
for hero comes our friend Frank Muller"
II am glad to see that you have recovered,
uncle" said Muller, politely, "and am sorry
to have to tell you that the house is beyond
help. Believe me. if I knew who fired it l
would shoot him. It was not my wish or in
tention that the property should be de-
stroyed."
The old man merely bowed his head and
made no answer. His fiery spirit seemed to
be crushed out Of him.
"What is it your pleasure that we should
do, sir!" said Bessie at last. "Perhaps, now
that we are ruined, you will allow us to 60 to
Natal, vhich, suppose, is still all English
country!"
eyes, Miss Bessie, Natal is still English, for
tho present; soon it will be Dutch; but am
sorry that cannot let you 60 there now. My
orders are to keep you both prisoners and to
try your uncle by court martial The wagon
house." he went on, quickly, "with the two
little rooms on each side Of it, has not been
touched by the fire. will have them made
ready for you, and as soon as the heat is less
you can 20 there;" and, turning to the men
who had followed him, he gave some rapid
orders, which two Of them departed to carry
out.
Still the old man made no comment; he did
not even seem indignant or surprised; but
poor Bessie was utterly prostrated and stood
helpless, not knowing what to say to this ter
rible, remorseless man, who stood so calm
and unmoved there before them.
Frank Muller paused a while to think,
stroking his beard as he did so, then turned
again and addressed the two remaining men
behind him.
"You will keep guard over the prisoner"
indicating Silas Croft. "and suffer none to
communicate with him by word or sign. As
soon as it is ready you will place him in the
little room to the left Of the wagon house,
and see that he is supplied with all he wants.
If he escapes, or converses, or is i'll treated,
will held you responsible Do you under
stands"
"Yah, meinheer," was the answer.
every good; be careful you do not forget.
And now, Miss Bessie, shall be glad if you
can give me a word alone"-
@No," said Bessie; mo, I will not leave my
uncle"
II fear you will have to do that, he said,
with his cold smile. II beg you to think
again It will be very much to your advan-
tage to speak to me, and to your uncle's ad-
vantage also. I should advise yen 10 come.s
Bessie hesitated. She hated and mistrusted
the man, as she had good reason to do, and
feared to trust herself alone with him.
While she hesitated the two Beers under
whose watch and ward Muller had placed her
uncle came and stood between him and her,
cutting her Off from him. Muller turned
and walked few paces-ten or SOTO the
right, and in desperation she followed him.
He halted behind bushy orange tree of some
eight years growth Overtaking him, she
stood silent waiting for him to begin. They
were quite close to the others, but the roaring
of the flames Of the burning house was still
sufficiently loud to have drowned u much
more audible conversation than theirs.
"What is it you have to say to mes" she
said ut length, pressing her hand against her
heart to still its beating. Her woman's in
stinct told her what was coming and she was
trying to nerve herself to meet it.
@Miss Bessie, he said slowly, "it is this. For
years have loved you and wanted to marry
you. again ask you to be my wife,"
"Mr. Frank Muller" she answered, her
spirit rising to the occasion. ~ thank you for
your offer, and the only answer that l can
give you is that once and for all decline it."
"Think," he said, II love you as women are
not often loved. You are always in my mind
by day and by night, too. Everything do,
every step 60 up the ladder, I have said and
say to myself, 4 am doing it for Bessie Croft,
whom I mean to marry Things have
changed in this country. The rebellion has
been successful. 1t was who gave the cast
ing vote for it that might win you. am
now a great man and shall one day be a
greater You will be great with me. Think
what you say"
II have thought, and will not marry you.
You dare tc come and ask me to marry you
over the ashes Of my home, out Of which you
have dragged me and my poor old uncle! I
hate you; tell you, and will not marry
you! had rather marry Kaffir than marry
you, Frank Muller, however great you may
be-"